New Expungement Law 2017: Can I Get an Expungement if I Have a Prior Conviction?

DuPage County Lawyers Explain New Criminal Expungement Laws

As of January 1, 2017, Illinois law has changed in regards to expungement. Under this new law, if you wish to expunge a case from your criminal record, but have a prior conviction or convictions, you potentially have the opportunity to petition to have an eligible offense expunged. At Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC, we can examine your case and help determine if this is the best plan of action for your situation.

Before 2017, Illinois law stated that if you had any prior convictions that are not minor offenses (such as traffic offenses) you would not be permitted to expunge any new cases from your record. This method was very much an “all or nothing” way to handle cases, which made it difficult for any repeat petitioners who may have deserved to have a new case expunged. With the latest change, it opens up a whole new life for those with a criminal record if you have an expungeable offense.

Does this Expungement Law Effect Juvenile Cases?

Another law that was amended in 2017 was the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. In Illinois, the revision expands opportunities for juveniles who have criminal records for nonviolent offenses to be expunged. In the past, only a select set of cases were eligible and any expungements had to wait until the individual turned 21. Now, the processes has been sped up to as soon as proceedings have concluded.

Contact DuPage County Criminal Defense Attorneys

There are a great number of other details that come into effect with these new laws. At Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC, you can contact us to set up an appointment to help explain what you need to know regarding your case. We have helped clients for a number of years in DuPage, Kendall, and Kane Counties. Do not hesitate to call our offices at 630-665-7300 so we can see if our office is the best fit for you.